Tom Brady is famously returning to the playing field, albeit in flag football. The NFL legend is expected to participate in the 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic. Hosted in Saudi Arabia, the event aims to seed growth in football as we look toward the 2028 LA Olympics.
Learn more about the Saudi event here.
Tom Brady Debuts in Fanatics Flag Football Classic: Date, Time, Rosters, How to Watch, More
While international football tournaments have been held in the past, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic will be the biggest of its kind to date. Starring Brady, the event is bound to pique interest in the sport in the Middle East.
The event will take place as part of Riyadh Season on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Who Will Play in the 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic?
There has been a concerted effort to lure some of the biggest names in the NFL to the tournament in the Middle East. Some of the players include:
- Christian McCaffrey
- CeeDee Lamb
- Rob Gronkowski
- Saquon Barkley
- Brock Bowers
- Myles Garrett
- Sauce Gardner
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Tyreek Hill
- Maxx Crosby
Some of the league’s top coaches will also feature at the event:
- Pete Carroll
- Sean Payton
- Kyle Shanahan
How To Watch the 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic?
FOX Sports and Tubi will handle the live broadcast of the tournament, and award-winning actor Kevin Hart will be among the event’s hosts.
Brady Excited To Play in Fanatics Flag Football Classic
As one of the leading figures in the tournament, anticipation is high around Brady’s return to the field. He is partnering with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.
As such, the seven-time Super Bowl champion is eager to play competitively again.
MORE: Jayden Daniels vs. Tom Brady: Everything to Know About the Fanatics Flag Football Classic
“[I’m excited to] get the competitive juices flowing alongside some of the game’s brightest stars and iconic legends, and bring a truly unique global sports event to fans everywhere during Riyadh Season,” Brady said.
“I have always admired the power of flag football and how it connects fans of all ages, and it’s awesome to be able to showcase the sport on such a global stage while joining together so many incredibly skilled athletes.”
With the 2028 LA Olympics set to include flag football for the first time in the Games’ history, it will be interesting to see how the Fanatics Classic affects the buildup to the next Olympics. The NFL has been growing with its International Series, with teams playing abroad, and Fanatics is another step toward the globalization of football.
